Newbie going by myself and I can't believe I got a ticket to the playa. I've rented a small (I mean really small) trailer and would appreciate any advise, suggestions, well wishes, giggles or any bullshit you'd like to give. See you soon!

Congrats on getting a ticket - prepare well and you ought to have a good time. There's lots on info here on eplaya and - of course - in the mandatory reading.

San Diego has a pretty active Burner community - we have a weekly meet-up at a bar every Tuesday. Be sure to sign up for the weekly news email (follow Savannah's link) if you want to hear more about that and other local happenings, like poi on the beach, this weekend's cookout, or how to help with the San Diego CORE effigy.

- scout

When he lights his streetlamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.That is a beautiful occupation.

Hola Everyone! Thank you so much for the warm welcomes and tips. And, Lucky, I really appreciate the bird hello. I can see we're gonna get along juuuuust fine! Hi Dougly, I live downtown. Hey Tom, did you use a deep cycle battery or some other kind?

I rented a small teardrop trailer. I'm going by myself, so I kinda wanted a little extra security. I thought to park my vehicle and the trailer in a bit of a V shape with it pointing towards the wind, then securing shade over the vehicle, trailer and extending it across the wide part of the V for shade. I understand about securing it with rebar, covering the rebar so people don't get hurt, but not so sure about the configuration or how to secure the wider part of the shade. I realize I have a shit load of stuff to do between now and then!

Generator / trickle charge.....Blood Bath & Beyond...could be just what a newbie is looking for. Are you planning on hosting a fencing course? From your avatar it looks like I could scare the shit out of some people.

hmmmm, my simple bucket swamp cooler seems to want to keep morphing. I got most of the supplies today except for the fan. The more I think of it the more I think there should be a way to create a more traditional swamp cooler to fit on top of the tear drop as there is a fan that blows both ways. (Wow. I can't believe I actually wrote that. If I saw someone else post that message, there would be NO mercy) Ok, back to the topic at hand. I'm planning (not that it will necessarily happen) to have aluminet cover for the CRV & trailer. I could have the swamp cooler on the cargo space at the front of the trailer with flexible piping to the fan or I could have it on top of the trailer, but I'm concerned it will end up in my neighbor's windshield. Probably not a good way to make a first impression, but I've done worse. I think I may have to start stalking Figjam.....poor fella, y'all should start feeling sorry for him right about now.

Here you go, but I would use the fan from my bucket design on thier cooler.

"12v Swamp Cooler After seeing 2 Teardrop trailers using GI surplus ammo cans as 110v swamp coolers, we thought it would be a good idea to make a 12 volt version for our remote desert camping. Using 1/2" plywood & other materials left over from our body construction, we designed it to fit under our kitchen counter top, inside the lower cabinet."

Hi Figjam! Still haven't gotten thru all 65 pages of the ever-morphing swamp cooler, but I'm putting one together this weekend. Will switch over to the other board & upload pics when I have them. Thank you for the TONS of information and help you given to everyone looking to cool down.